It looks like Lou Correa will be my next State Senator... But before I declare victory and start dancing in the street, I'd like to reflect over the not-so-ethical behavior by Republicans AND a few "Correa Supporters" that disappointed me... More on the flip

Lou is now beating Lynn by 1,070 votes. This margin is slightly more than the total number of votes that Otto Bade received... And this margin is large enough to where Lynn couldn't possibly win in a recount. I am genuinely thrilled that Lou Correa lloks to have won this election, and he will soon to be on his way to Sacramento to represent my community in the Legislature, I am also disappointed that the cloud of scandal may continue to linger over us here in Central Orange County. Though Lou Correa won this election fair and square, some Republicans will likely point to the actions of a few well-connected "Correa Supporters" and claim that they "stole the election from Lynn Daucher". While I disagree that the election was stolen, I must also agree that these purported "Correa Supporters" did not exactly conduct their "Californians United" independent expenditure operation in the most ethical of manners.

Now of course, the Californians United operation was behind the decoy campaign of "Conservative Write-in" candidate Otto Bade. And yes, I must agree with the critics that the folks behind the Californians United trickery did a sleazy act by convincing Otto Bade to run as the "Independent Republican/Conservative". While their Californians United trick wasn't illegal, it was definitely unethical... And if anything, THEY HURT LOU CORREA here! They tarnished his image by inviting folks to alege that Lou was involved with their foul play (and he clearly wasn't)! They gave folks the false impression that Lou was "just another sleazy politician", who was willing to do anything to win. This is not true... My dad and I have spoken with Lou on several occasions, and we are convinced that Lou Correa WILL serve us well as our next State Senator.

Personally, I think that the Otto Bade trickery undermined the direct efforts of Lou's campaign to reach out to the voters in the 34th in a POSITIVE way. I had walked with many of the local students, and I was heart-warmed by their dedication to their community, as well as their dedication to helping Lou win this election. And of course, while walking I've talked to many of my neighbors in Santa Ana. Many of them supported Lou because they know that he actually cares about the well-being of our communities, and has worked hard to bring money home to keep our neighborhoods safe, make our parks beautiful again, and improve our schools. This was the message that the Correa campaign focused on spreading... NOT that Otto Bade is "more conservative" than Lynn Daucher. This was the message that was nearly drowned out by the stupid scandal over who was REALLY behind Otto Bade.

Of course, it's not as if the Republicans conducted a completely ethical campaign either! Remember, after all, that it was the Republicans who illegally switched between 100 and 500 Democratic and Independent voters to Republican. Of course, it was also the Republican Candidate in the overlapping 47th Congressional District, Tan Nguyen, who sent the infamous "Immigrants Can't Vote" intimidation letter to over 14,000 LEGAL REGISTERED VOTERS. Oh yes, and it was Republican Lynn Daucher who "moved" from her Brea residence to a Fullerton apartment early this year in order to claim residency in the 34th State Senate District... While Lou Correa has lived in Central Orange County for all 42 years of his life, and has been active in the community here for many years, Lynn Daucher hardly "lived" here 42 WEEKS before Election Day! Of course, these works of Republican trickery were not excuses for the Californians United operation... This is simply my way of putting things back into perspective here. Before the Republicans start accusing us of malfeasance, they should deal with the severely unethical (and in the cases of the voter registration scandal and the Tan Nguyen letter, TRULY ILLEGAL) acts in their own party.

While I'm glad to see that Lou Correa will be my next State Senator, I hope that the "Correa Supporters" behind the Californians United operation do not attempt to "help" him again with their dirty tricks! Let us help our own candidates here in Orange County. We actually live here in the community, and we know how to reach out to our neighbors! We can engage our community in a positive way, and we know how to win fair and square.

I know that I've been bugging everyone over Lou Correa and SD 34 for quite a while now... But finally, it looks like the story's over... Lou won. ; )

Still, I couldn't put this story to rest without calling out ALL the dirty tricks that were employed in this campaign. I sincerely hope that the OC GOP has learned its lesson now... It doesn't pay to cheat by illegally switching voters to Republican and sending out intimidation letters to Latino voters. Also, I hope that the "Correa Supporters" behind the Californians United monkey business stay in Sacramento, and stop butting into OC politics with their nasty sleaze. I believe that they nearly cost us this election, and I hope that they just leave us alone.

If you'd like to see an extended version of this story, it's on The California Progress Report today. ( http://www.californi... ) Again, thank you for your support as we in Orange County fought the good fight in sending our friend Lou Correa back to Sacramento, this time as our State Senator. Now that this story's over, I can get back to the gossip over who will be running for Lou's Supervisorial Seat here in OC! (hehe) ; )

Had enough of the "red county" right-wing crazy-talk bulls***? Well, then come and visit us at The Liberal OC! Yes, there ARE liberals in The OC! : )